Big Changes at a Store for Big Sizes

In a nation plagued by obesity, a store called Casual Male Big & Tall would seem to mint money. But the chain's parent company has twice filed for bankruptcy protection. Then David A. Levin, a longtime apparel industry executive, took over in 2002.

Since then, he has turned around the unprofitable chain with trendy clothing brands, redesigned stores and, most significant, a name change. As of June, the stores have become Casual Male XL.

The chain, which lost $12 million in fiscal 2003, generated a profit of nearly $11 million in 2005, with sales topping $420 million. Mr. Levin, the chief executive of the Casual Male Retail Group, recently discussed changes under way at Casual Male and the state of the big and tall clothing market.

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